Malicious Code Injection in elderly_hookworm_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101997: Malicious code in elderly_hookworm_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The elderly_hookworm_dumbs package is part of a series of npm packages that have been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards associated with the tea protocol.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the elderly_hookworm_dumbs package stems from its malicious code, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This can lead to significant issues, including the compromise of package integrity and the potential for developers to unknowingly use malicious packages in their projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall elderly_hookworm_dumbsIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the elderly_hookworm_dumbs package and any other packages that may be part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your dependencies to ensure no malicious packages are present.
Conclusion
The elderly_hookworm_dumbs package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry with compromised packages. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies regularly to maintain the integrity of their projects.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to manipulate the npm registry.
The malicious code modifies your package.json, removes private flags, and can lead to the installation of compromised packages.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall elderly_hookworm_dumbs' and audit your project for any other malicious dependencies.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
